hoeace hastings



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

A. HORACE HASTINGS, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

PIANO.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,491, dated February25, 1862.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A. HORACE HAsrINGs, of the city and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pianos andIdo hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the annexed drawing, making part of this specification, A representsa portion of the frame of the piano, and B is the scale which is securedto it at an inclination, as is shown in the figure.

This improvement relates to upright pianos. In the ordinary uprightpiano, where the scale is vertical, great difficulty is experienced inmaking the hammer return to its proper position. The hammer will strikethe cord, but after striking it will not return in position for againbeing moved unless there are complications about the action which addvery much to the cost of the instrument and make the action very clumsyto the touch. Not only this, but the friction is so much increased thatthe parts wear quickly, and the action is Very difficult to keep inorder. Byinclining the scale, as shown in this case, the hammer isattached in such a manner that it can never reach a Vertical position.Hence when it strikes the cord it falls back to its normal position withno assistance but its own gravity. By this arrangement the action willnot be complicated and can be made Very light and easy of touch. Indeedany horizontal action can be used, but with less expense, as the keysare all of the same length and the rails straight, as in the Grandpiano.

The scale is made so that it can readily be detached from the body forpurposes of transportation. In the pianos now in use the scale is notmade so that it can be detached from the body unless it is taken all topieces. Consequently when a piano is boxed for transportation the scaleand body must be sent secured together. This is Very inconvenient onaccount of the great weight. In this piano the scale is made completeand is then attached to the body.

IVhen a piano is to be transported from one place to another, the bodymay be placed in one box, the scale in one, and the legs and pedals inanother, so that the weight of each will be comparatively small. Pianosmay in this manner be easily and securely transported.

The hammer is represented by O and is made very diiferent from theordinary hammer. It is made hollow at its striking end, as is shown inthe figure, so that elasticity may be derived from the material of whichit is made without the use of leather or any other kind of packing. Itis evident that when a hammer is constructed in this way there is lessliability of its getting out of order than is the case with the one nowin use, for that needs padding, (which is liable to come off,) whilethis does not.

Having thus fully described my improvement, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The employment of the scale B so inclined that I can use the simplestand most eifective form of action of the horizontal piano, while Iobtain all of the advantages of the upright piano, substantially as setforth.

2. rPhe employment of the hammer C, constructed and used as and for thepurpose specified.

In witness that Iclaim the foregoing Ihave hereunto set my hand in thepresence of wit nesses.

A. HORACE IIASTINGS.

IVitnesses:

WM. S. RITTENHoUsE, A. D. WELCH, M. W. CORIN.

